Narita International Airport is one of the most common entry points into Japan. Despite this, however, Narita Airport is a considerable distance outside of central Tokyo, especially when compared to Haneda International Airport. As such, getting from Narita Airport to Tokyo can be a bit challenging.
Rest assured however, there are a number of transport options that will take you from Narita Airport to Tokyo Station, and as such Tokyo Station to Narita Airport.
Getting from Narita Airport to Tokyo - Quick Links
Narita Express (N'EX) - JR Pass Compatible
The Narita Express, or N’EX is a direct, quick, and convenient way to get from Narita Airport to Tokyo – and even beyond to Yokohama, and Ofuna. The Narita Express utilises a high speed railway, and has very few stops along the way. You can get from Narita Station to Tokyo Station in under an hour.
There are green car (premium seats), and ordinary seating options available on the service. One of the benefits of the Narita Express is that the service is operated by Japan Rail, which means that the fare for this service is included with JR Pass if you have one. This is a great option for JR Pass holders for getting from Narita Airport to Tokyo.
Estimated travel times & costs on the N'EX
Narita Express – Approx once every 30 minutes | |
First train from Narita Airport | 7:37am |
Last train from Narita airport | 9:44pm |
First train from Tokyo Station | 6:18am |
Last train from Tokyo Station | 8:02pm |
Narita Airport to/from Tokyo Station:
- Approx. 55 Minutes. 3,070JPY One way (No cost when using JR Pass)
Narita Airport to/from Shinagawa Station:
- Approx. 1 Hour, 10 Minutes. 3,250JPY One way (No cost when using JR Pass)
Narita Airport to/from Yokohama Station:
- Approx. 1 Hour, 20 Minutes. 4,370JPY One way (No cost when using JR Pass)
- Approx. 1 Hour, 40 Minutes. 4,700 JPY One way (No cost when using JR Pass)
Narita Skyliner
The Narita Skyliner is a reliable, comfortable, and affordable way to get from Narita Airport to central Tokyo. In 45 minutes, it can deliver you from the airport to Ueno Station, a major transit hub only a handful of minutes from Tokyo Station. This is a slightly more affordable option for those without a JR Pass.
You can pre-purchase your tickets online, and you can also get a combo deal that includes the Narita Skyliner ticket and a Tokyo Subway 1, 2, or a 3-day pass. As such, if you are planning on exploring Tokyo, and don’t mind using the subway (compared to using Japan Rail services), you can save big with the combo deal.
Estimated travel times & costs on the Narita Skyliner
Narita Skyliner – Approx once every 20-30 minutes | |
First train from Narita Airport | 7:23am |
Last train from Narita airport | 11:00pm |
First train from Keisei-Ueno Station | 5:40am |
Last train from Keisei-Ueno Station | 8:20pm |
Narita Airport to/from Ueno Station:
- Approx. 45 Minutes. 2,580JPY One way.
Narita Airport to/from Nippori Station:
- Approx. 35 Minutes. 2,580JPY One way.
Ueno Station to Tokyo Station (Not included):
- Approx 5 minutes. 170JPY One way.
Narita Airport Limousine Bus
Want to avoid the busy subway and train stations? Want to get dropped near Tokyo Disney? The Narita Airport Limousine is a hassle-free way to get to central Tokyo. With staff on hand at Narita airport to help you book your tickets or the option to book online, it’s really hard to beat the simplicity of the bus.
When heading back to Narita, board the bus from the Tokyo City Air Terminal – just a metro ride from Tokyo Station, and you can be back on your way.
Ensure that you book your tickets with enough time to factor in any potential traffic on your way to the Airport.
Buses from the airport to Tokyo City Air Terminal depart from 7:15am to 10:55pm, at approximately 20-30 minute intervals depending on the time of day.
The Narita Airport Limousine may also have stops outside of some major hotels, which can provide you with super quick, easy access directly to your hotel to/from the Airport.
Local Train Lines
Aside from the Narita Express, and the Narita Skyliner, there is also the local, conventional train lines which also go to the airport. These however, are often take longer, and are less direct, but generally cheaper. You may have to transfer trains to get to Tokyo, but can work out depending on where you hotel is.
For Example, you can take the Narita Line and the Sobu Line to Tokyo Station from the Airport. While this will take over an hour to reach the central city, the fare is very affordable at 1,340JPY, It is important to note that this is also a commuting train, so it may not be as comfortable. There are a number of options, all varying in length and cost. Use google maps to pre-plan your journey and figure out what trains you can catch.
Shared Transfer Shuttle
If you are looking for a simpler and calmer walk into Tokyo, a shared transfer shuttle could be a viable option. While pricier than other modes of transport to central Tokyo, the convenience of the service more than makes up for it. It’s also a great option in case your flight arrives into Tokyo after the trains have stopped, and is still considerably cheaper than taking a taxi or an uber.
A taxi could cost upwards of 20,000JPY from Narita to Tokyo, which is why a shared transfer shuttle is a much more affordable option. If you know that your planned arrival into Japan is close to the last train departure, then it may be very worthwhile getting the shared transfer.
Important things to note
Here’s a couple key things you should keep in mind when arriving at, or departing From Narita International Airport
- Narita Airport is approximately 1 hour outside of central Tokyo. Ensure you leave enough time to get to the airport before your flight.
- There are two International Airports in Tokyo. Haneda International Airport (HND), and Narita International Airport (NRT). If you are departing from Tokyo, remember to check which Airport your airline has booked your flight out of Japan from, as it can take close to an 1 and a half hours to get from Airport to the other.
- Most trains in Tokyo cease operation at around 12:00 am, and resume at about 5:30 am. Make sure that your flight gets you into Narita Airport in time to catch a train to your hotel, as well as making any train connections you may need. To be safe, we recommend that you have a flight that gets in with enough time to clear customs grab your bag, and be on the train before 10:00 pm. This will allow you extra time to get to Tokyo Station and connect to a local line to get you to your accommodation.
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